Pitt Frontcourt Breaks Through Against Virginia
PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers' frontcourt has been a sore spot at times this season, but they continue to step up in big-game situations.
Blake Hinson was complementary of the unit's performance, stating they did all the little things required to help will the Panthers to a victory.
"That’s what it takes to win," Hinson said. "They made winning plays, they made tough plays, they made strong plays, gritty plays, and you know I’d love to pat them on the back, and I will for the next couple hours, but that’s what we expect out of them. That’s what we need out of them to win.”
Federiko Federiko and Guillermo Diaz Graham turned in one of the frontcourt's best all-around performances of the season in Pitt's upset win on the road against No. 21 Virginia, who presented a favorable matchup as an undersized team with no true interior scoring presence among the big men on its roster.
Federiko recorded two points but was most impactful on the boards and as a rim protector, coming away with three rebounds and two blocks in 19 minutes on the floor.
Jeff Capel singled out Federiko's rejection of a Jordan Minor shot attempt in the first half as a major impetus that set the tone from the onset for the Panthers.
"I thought early in the game, that block he had on Minor really kind of set the tone for us," Capel said. "The toughness, the competitive urgency, all those things that we talked about, that was a big-time play."
As for Diaz Graham, he joined the Panthers' three-point barrage by shooting 2-of-3 from behind the arc and tallying eight points in addition to four rebounds and a steal in 21 minutes of playing time.
Capel was impressed by Diaz Graham's playmaking on the offensive end of the floor while lauding his versatility and overall effort defensively as well.
"I thought he was tremendous," Capel said. "Offensively, he was a connector with the short rolls and making plays and scored one. He certainly made some really good passes. Defensively he was able to get a steal. We kind of had him playing centerfield because of who he was guarding. I thought he just did some really good things."
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